Legislation could help wrongly convicted Oklahomans

Legislation could help wrongly convicted Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY—Legislation that could help Oklahomans wrongly convicted of a crime was unanimously approved by the state House of Representatives Monday.

House Bill 1068 would allow an individual who is convicted of a crime to file a motion to request forensic DNA testing of any biological material associated with the crime.

Officials say the bill would set up criteria for who would be eligible and provides for a hearing to determine if testing should occur.

“Oklahoma is currently the only state that does not have a postconviction DNA process in place,” said state Rep. Lee Denney, the bill’s author. “This legislation creates that process and thus makes it even more difficult for mistakes to fall through the cracks.”

The legislation requires the court to hold a hearing if the DNA testing results are favorable to the offender.